Milan, a secret city

Art, Architecture and Interiors
An aesthetic experience, an intimate Tour of Milan
October 2 – 9, 2009

Some Italian cities are known world wide for their monuments and art treasures ( Florence, Venice, Rome) but the beauty of Milan has been for long time neglected.

Could it be because the Milanesi themselves were always attracted by different businesses than tourism, considered maybe like something less important? or because sometimes even they think Milan is only an industrial metropolis?

Another reason could be that Milan treasures don't come toward you, but you must go find them. Same applies to the old generation of authentic Milanesi who never liked to show their wealth but cultivated more the taste for stylish understatement.

For all these reasons I consider Milan still like a "secret" city that wants to be discovered slowly.

Courtyards, hidden gardens

In Milan we can find many art treasures like the last masterpiece of Michelangelo "Pieta' Rondanini" which I personally find aesthetically superior (and timeless in its unfinished beauty) to the one in Rome.

the affresco (mural painting) by Leonardo da Vinci "The last supper"

the Leonardo da Vinci "Atlantic Code" the largest and most amazing collection of manuscripts with his drawings, projects (1,119 sheets) all with his typical "specular writing" (he used to write from right to left and to read it properly we need a mirror) is also in Milan.

Below what I consider a contemporary symbol of Milan: the sculpture by Arnaldo Pomodoro, born in 1926 and still working and living in Milan.

It is a huge (almost 5 meters diameter ) bronze disc rotating on an axis. I always thought it represents well Milan because the city, just like Pomodoro's sculptures, always obey to the rigorous spirit of geometry and constantly moving forward it adapts to changes.

In 2015 Milan will host Universal Expo but its history stretches back to 600 B.C. when was founded by Celtic tribes and soon conquered by the Romans. Centuries later was conquered by France, then ruled by Spain then Austria. During World War II the city was constantly bombed and half the building were heavily damaged. After the war it was rapidly rebuilt and today it is a fascinating mixture of old and new, past and present harmoniously blended.

To know more about the Tour please read:

Art, Architecture and Interiors

You may also like to read my other blog on Interior Design and Art

and Patricia Gray's Sunday in Milan